What is acne and how is it formed?
Acne is an abnormal skin condition that causes blemishes on the face, chest, or back, in the form of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or comedones. It occurs when sebaceous glands – glands in the follicles of the skin that produce sebum, an oily substance, to prevent skin from drying out – become overactive, resulting in the overproduction of sebum.
Pores become clogged when there is an overproduction of sebum and buildup of dead skin cells. Bacteria can then get trapped inside the pores and multiply, causing swelling and redness, eventually resulting in acne. While the effects of acne are generally not serious, it can cause scarring.
What causes acne?
- Acne can be caused by hormonal changes, most commonly seen in teenagers undergoing puberty, or in women experiencing challenging menstrual cycles or pregnancy.
Acne can also form due to a change in lifestyle habits, such as wearing comedogenic cosmetics that tend to cause the formation of comedones, experiencing stressful situations, or stopping the intake of birth control pills.
There are a number of myths surrounding the formation of acne:
Diet: Greasy foods are often blamed for causing acne, but there is little scientific evidence to prove a relationship between such foods and the formation of acne. However, dairy-related products have been scientifically proven to aggravate acne formation.
Dirty Skin: Acne is commonly believed to be caused by dirt or uncleanliness, but the bacteria that causes acne – p. acnes – does not come from dirt. Rather, p. acnes occur naturally in healthy skin follicles, but if too much accumulates in clogged pores, the bacteria will multiply, eventually leading to an acne outbreak.
Can I squeeze out my acne?
No! Squeezing your acne pushes bacteria deeper into the skin, causing further inflammation and scarring.
How can I treat my acne or acne scars?
The best way to effectively treat acne or remove acne scars is to seek treatment from a qualified medical professional. After assessing your skin condition, Dr. Kok will recommend a personalised acne treatment protocol that is best suited for your needs.
Acne scar treatments can vary from the following, depending on your skin condition:
- Skincare products
- Topical medications
- Light therapy (e.g. I-Clear or Multiclear)
- Laser treatments
- Chemical peels
- Oral medications
- Incisions via drainage & surgery
- Interlesional corticosteroid injections
Help! I have an event to attend but I have unsightly acne. Is there anything I can do to get rid of my acne quickly?
Interlesional corticosteroid injections can reduce acne size and inflammation relatively quickly. This is suitable for more severe acne.
What can I expect during the procedure?
Prior to the threadlift procedure, an experienced therapist will apply a local anaesthetic to the treatment area. Once the anaesthetic has set, Dr. Kok will begin the procedure by outlining the placement of the dissolvable threads in the treatment area, before advancing the threads across previously marked contours.
Most patients do not feel any pain due to the application of the local anaesthetic. You will most likely experience a slight pulling effect during the procedure.
Why choose LS Aesthetic Clinic?
Safe and effective treatment of your acne condition begins with a consultation. Dr. Kok understands the distress acne can cause and will examine your skin to give an accurate assessment of your skin condition, followed by a personalised treatment regimen.
At LS Aesthetic Clinic, we have a wide range of acne scar treatments in Singapore, ranging from medications to lasers and light therapy.
Call us at +65 6738 4700 or email us at enquire@lsaestheticclinic.com for more enquiries. We are conveniently located at #10-04 Wisma Atria Office Tower, 435 Orchard Road Singapore 238877.